Supporting latch for lighting fixtures



July 21,1953 R, G. MARCHISIO SUPPORTING LATCH FOR LIGHTING FIXTURES Filed June 30, 1950 INVENTOR ROBERT G. MARCHISIO Y a 7 ATTO EY Patented ul 21, 1953 SUPPORTING LATCH FOR LIGHTING FIXTURES Robert Marchisio, Wenham, Mass., assignor to Sylvania Electric Products'lna, Salem, Mass., a. corporation of Massachusetts Application June so, 1950;seria1No;171,29s

tures, one of the problems has been to develop a satisfactory mechanism for supporting a lightcontrolling member disposed beneath the fluorescent lamps. Not only should the mechanism or device be relatively simple in construction for speed and cheapness in manufacturing as well as positive in its action for safety in operation,

but it also should be easily accessible to simplify maintenance problems. More specifically, the

device should be one which will enable an oper-' ator to quickly and easily remove the light-controllin member.

Removal of the light-controling member may be desirable for relamping the fixture as well as for cleaning the member itself.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide a mechanism for supportinga light-controlling member in a lighting fixture which is other than the specific ones shown and described will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

Further objects, advantages and features will be apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a fluorescent lighting fixture with which the latch of my invention may be employed. I

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of an end of the fixture of Figure 1 showing the latch of my invention.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary end View taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

In Figure 1, that portion of the fluorescent lighting fixture shown comprises a louver assembly I supported by a latch 2 from an end plate 3 and a side panel 4 supported by the end plate 3. The end plate 3 may be attached in any Fluorescent lamps which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fixture have not been illustrated for purposes of clarity. These lamps may be supported in suitable holders therefore mounted on the end plates 3 and are disposed above the louver assembly I. The louver assembly l comprises a longitudinal louver 5 and a plurality of transverse louvers 5 attached thereto.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the latch 2 which supports the louver assembly I from the end plate 3 comprises a latch hook I and a latch lever 8. The latch hook! has a channeled portion la and a bifurcated portion lb. The latch levera has a channeled portion 8a and a bifurcated portion 8b. The channeled portion la of the latch hook I interlocks with. the end plate 3 through an aperture 9 therein. The bifurcated portion lb of the latch hook I is connected to. the bifurcated portion 8b of the latch lever B through pin Ill. The bifurcated portion 8b of the latch lever 8 is pivotally mounted on the longitudinal louver 5 through pin II. The end of the longitudinal louver 5 is provided with a cut-out portion I 3 to permit free movement of the pin l0 during operation of the latch 2.

In Figure 2, the latch 2 is shown in the locked position with the louver assembly I supported thereby from the end cap 3. Removal of the louver assembly I from thefixture is accomplished by rotation of the latch lever 8 in a clockwise direction. Since the latch lever B is pivotally mounted on the longitudinal louver 5' through pin H and since the latch hook I is connected to the latch lever B by pin Iii, clockwise rotational movement of the latch lever B, pivoting about pin II effects an upward and then a clockwise rotational movement of the latch hook I. This movement of the latch hook 1 results in disengagement thereof from its interlocking with the end plate 3 and withdrawal thereof through the aperture 9 in the end plate.

Mounting of the louver assembly I is accomplished by threading the free end of the latch hook I through the aperture 9 in the end plate 3 and then rotating the latch lever 2 in a counterclockwise direction until' it assumes the locked position shown in Figure 2.

Although only one of the latches of my invention is shown in the drawing and described above,

it will be readily understood that there is a similar device at the other end of the fixture.

Although the latch has been described in connection with a louver type of light-controlling member, its adaptability for use'with other types 3 of light-controlling members will be readily ap preciated by those skilled in the art.

What I claim is: A lighting fixture comprising an end plate having an aperture therein, a light-controlling member having a longitudinal louver substantially perpendicular tothe.- end plate: and: meansafort securingthelongitudinal louver of said": light-. controlling member to said end plate, said means comprising a lever having a channeled portion and a bifurcated portion, said bifurcated portion being pivotally mounted on-thelong-itudinal. louver of said light-controlling member and the longitudinal louver of said light-controllinggmem-i her being seated in said channeled;portion;;.iand

a hook having a channeled portion and a bifur'- cated portion, said channeled portion lying .within.

4 the aperture in said end plate and interlocking with said end plate and said bifurcated portion enclosing the bifurcated portion of said lever and pivotally mounted thereon.

ROBERT G. MARCHISIO.

References..0ited in the rfilefiofithislpatent UNITED'STATESPATENTS Number Name Date D; 150,853 Guth et a1. Sept. 7, 1948 961,780 7 Lauzon June 21, 1910 1,807,236 Clark May 26, 1931 7 1,831,588 Clark Nov. 10, 1931 2,392,306 Biller"; Jan. 6, 1946 2,564,046 Altree Aug. .14, 1951 

